Performance of an Internal Combustion Engine Operating on Landfill Gas and the Effect of Syngas Addition

Abstract

The performance of a four-stroke Honda GC160E spark ignition (SI) internal combustion (IC) engine operating on landfill gas (LFG) was investigated, as well as the impact of H2 and CO (syngas) addition on emissions and engine efficiency. Tests were performed for engine loads from 0.2 to 0.8 kW over a range of CO2 to CH4 ratios (0−0.50). In addition, variation across both the syngas content (up to 15%) and the ratio of H2 to CO in the syngas (H2/CO = 0.5, 1, and 2) were tested. Catalytic testing provided reactor data on the amount of syngas and H2/CO ratios that can be obtained by autothermally reforming LFG. The emissions obtained from the test engine fueled with the simulated LFG were found to be comparable to emissions from commercial LFG to energy (LFGTE) systems currently deployed. Syngas addition was found to not only significantly reduce CO, unburned hydrocarbon (UHC), and NOx emissions but also improve brake efficiency of the engine. CO emissions were reduced from 802 to 214 ppm for a 5% syngas addi...